Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[hertamaniac]

My moneys on fantasmic not returning.

And something at epcot being the first nighttime entertainment back at wdw.

At WDW, it's a snoozer. They really could do better in that space.

 

[jade1]

I like hearing the on-the-ground reports on wait times, crowds, etc. Thank you to everyone. It’s very helpful for upcoming trip planning.

I will toss out a few notes.

Would really struggle to recommend going (assuming somebody is OK with the current risks) to anybody wanting to get a lot done.

Really depends what your after, for some I would highly recommend going.

For us, we loved it and had a magical time without a doubt and zero regrets. But we have done it all a lot, so no big expectations.

As mentioned Delta was great, airports were clean and very spread out and quiet. MCO had no security line wait coming home.

The weather-fabulous mid 80's, couple showers some days but snow storms back home already.

If you can open the parks of course is best.

So worth it for Hagrids-got 3 passes for our group.

We did not get RoTR at the 10AM try even though it asks if it was for these names-just jumped to "oops something went wrong", and again at 2PM same thing.

Did the M&M Train-very fun, about 40 minutes. TOT was about 35 and by then everything was well over an hour. So plan on long waits through the day.

AK we did Safari in about 10 minutes slightly after opening, then did the trails. Then FoP was 65 so we waited for that. Really such a beautiful Park and weather it didn't bother us.

MK straight to 7DMT and that was about 20, P Pan after was pretty much a walk on. We had a little one with so Dumbo T Cups etc were all walk ons. BTMR was 25 about an hour in. PoC 25 as well. Never got over to Space. But again they were all climbing in wait times throughout the day.

EPCOT didn't open until 11 so its was really a busy rush. We were only there for Food & Wine which we did 2 days. The evenings were gorgeous and food and drink options were very good.

BW was very limited in dining, never landed B&C either as no walk ups were accepted, and we couldn't get a ressie during the day.

Clearwater Beach-very quiet just an amazing day over there.

D Springs-Low crowds the night we went, Boathouse great as usual.

Food options in general lacking, evening hours and night shows were really missed as we are night owls.

Line spacing is super nice-hoping forever.

 

[tlmadden73]

I mean .. I guess they need to start having some sort of nighttime entertainment. The park (just due to less daylight) is closing when it is well dark as winter approaches, right?

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

I will toss out a few notes.

Would really struggle to recommend going (assuming somebody is OK with the current risks) to anybody wanting to get a lot done.

Really depends what your after, for some I would highly recommend going.

For us, we loved it and had a magical time without a doubt and zero regrets. But we have done it all a lot, so no big expectations.

As mentioned Delta was great, airports were clean and very spread out and quiet. MCO had no security line wait coming home.

The weather-fabulous mid 80's, couple showers some days but snow storms back home already.

If you can open the parks of course is best.

So worth it for Hagrids-got 3 passes for our group.

We did not get RoTR at the 10AM try even though it asks if it was for these names-just jumped to "oops something went wrong", and again at 2PM same thing.

Did the M&M Train-very fun, about 40 minutes. TOT was about 35 and by then everything was well over an hour. So plan on long waits through the day.

AK we did Safari in about 10 minutes slightly after opening, then did the trails. Then FoP was 65 so we waited for that. Really such a beautiful Park and weather it didn't bother us.

MK straight to 7DMT and that was about 20, P Pan after was pretty much a walk on. We had a little one with so Dumbo T Cups etc were all walk ons. BTMR was 25 about an hour in. PoC 25 as well. Never got over to Space. But again they were all climbing in wait times throughout the day.

EPCOT didn't open until 11 so its was really a busy rush. We were only there for Food & Wine which we did 2 days. The evenings were gorgeous and food and drink options were very good.

BW was very limited in dining, never landed B&C either as no walk ups were accepted, and we couldn't get a ressie during the day.

Clearwater Beach-very quiet just an amazing day over there.

D Springs-Low crowds the night we went, Boathouse great as usual.

Food options in general lacking, evening hours and night shows were really missed as we are night owls.

Line spacing is super nice-hoping forever.

My friend's husband has a conf in Orlando next spring (still scheduled). They've never been East of Chicago, and will be flying ~4,000 miles. Never been to any theme parks or water parks anywhere (nothing more than a state fair carnival, and they prob haven't even been to one of those in the last few years).

I did tell her about everything that's currently not operating, but in some ways, I don't think it's necessarily bad for them. They live in a small town, their kids haven't been anywhere before, they hardly ever go on vacation (parents got away for less than a week for a conf last year, otherwise no vacations in the last ~9 years), and I think even what is open might be somewhat overwhelming. They're in a position where they could start vacationing more, so I don't think future trips to DLR or WDW are out of the question. If I thought that this would definitely be their one and only trip, I'd advise them to wait. But their plane tickets and paid for by work, and I think they'll find enough to do without parades and fireworks.

 

[rteetz]

 

[rteetz]

Disneyland Paris to Resume Standby Pass System at Crush’s Coaster, Big Thunder Mountain on October 27

 

[andyman8]

View attachment 534793

This is, more or less, what I heard this morning. Timing is definitely still in flux and they're not making any actionable commitments. I'm assuming that he's including RoL in that net-loss but it's worth noting I was told RoL and at least one other will not return.

 

[disneygirlsng]

My friend's husband has a conf in Orlando next spring (still scheduled). They've never been East of Chicago, and will be flying ~4,000 miles. Never been to any theme parks or water parks anywhere (nothing more than a state fair carnival, and they prob haven't even been to one of those in the last few years).

I did tell her about everything that's currently not operating, but in some ways, I don't think it's necessarily bad for them. They live in a small town, their kids haven't been anywhere before, they hardly ever go on vacation (parents got away for less than a week for a conf last year, otherwise no vacations in the last ~9 years), and I think even what is open might be somewhat overwhelming. They're in a position where they could start vacationing more, so I don't think future trips to DLR or WDW are out of the question. If I thought that this would definitely be their one and only trip, I'd advise them to wait. But their plane tickets and paid for by work, and I think they'll find enough to do without parades and fireworks.

This is how I've been feeling since my trip in August. If you think there's a decent chance you'll be back, I think it is a great time for first-timers. No stress of FPs and learning the system, don't have to worry about fitting in parades/fireworks into the day, etc. Just being able to enjoy the parks. But if you are sure that it will be a one and done trip, I would hold off.

 

[Mit88]

So I’m the only one that actually prefers Fantasmic at DHS over Disneyland? Cool cool

 

[jade1]

My friend's husband has a conf in Orlando next spring (still scheduled). They've never been East of Chicago, and will be flying ~4,000 miles. Never been to any theme parks or water parks anywhere (nothing more than a state fair carnival, and they prob haven't even been to one of those in the last few years).

I did tell her about everything that's currently not operating, but in some ways, I don't think it's necessarily bad for them. They live in a small town, their kids haven't been anywhere before, they hardly ever go on vacation (parents got away for less than a week for a conf last year, otherwise no vacations in the last ~9 years), and I think even what is open might be somewhat overwhelming. They're in a position where they could start vacationing more, so I don't think future trips to DLR or WDW are out of the question. If I thought that this would definitely be their one and only trip, I'd advise them to wait. But their plane tickets and paid for by work, and I think they'll find enough to do without parades and fireworks.

One way to look at it is indeed what you are saying. It can be too much for many visitors "normally".

On a side note, my niece (huge WDW Veteran) immediately booked a trip for 2 weeks from now when we reported back.

VWL so they can boat to MK, as her 3 kids are all under 6.

They never last into the night anyway.

Early risers. Mainly want MK kids rides, and get out of MN weather.

 

[Mit88]

View attachment 534793

OUAT? Once upon a time? Never heard of it.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

So I’m the only one that actually prefers Fantasmic at DHS over Disneyland? Cool cool

The viewing situation is 1,000x better at DHS

 

[rteetz]

OUAT? Once upon a time? Never heard of it.

That’s the projection show that typically plays after HEA. It’s had a ton of different versions through the years.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

One way to look at it is indeed what you are saying. It can be too much for many visitors "normally".

On a side note, my niece (huge WDW Veteran) immediately booked a trip for 2 weeks from now when we reported back.

VWL so they can boat to MK, as her 3 kids are all under 6.

They never last into the night anyway.

Early risers. Mainly want MK kids rides, and get out of MN weather.

Yeah, I don't think my friends would stay late anyway. Their kids never go anywhere except school, to the point that if they do go to someone's house, they're enthralled by stairs (lived in a ranch style). And it'll be winter temps in AK back home. Even if it's "cold" in FL, I think they'll end up spending evenings sitting by the pool w a drink while the kids swim. It'll be great for them if restaurants are still offering take out (and if more Disney restaurants are included) - that's also a change we're happy about. Not having to schedule FP+ is also attractive to them; I know they're somewhat overwhelmed by what they've heard of normal Disney planning.

 

[Mit88]

The viewing situation is 1,000x better at DHS

I had a pretty good seat for the DL one last summer during D23 weekend and I wasn’t really impressed.

That’s the projection show that typically plays after HEA. It’s had a ton of different versions through the years.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

That’s the projection show that typically plays after HEA. It’s had a ton of different versions through the years.

I was a little confused by this. I just read that OUAT used to play before HEA, but the order was switched in April 2019. (We hadn't watched either since before then, so I didn't know OUAT played after HEA recently.)

 

[rteetz]

I was a little confused by this. I just read that OUAT used to play before HEA, but the order was switched in April 2019. (We hadn't watched either since before then, so I didn't know OUAT played after HEA recently.)

Yeah it was a bit strange when they switched it.

 

[skeeter31]

I had a pretty good seat for the DL one last summer during D23 weekend and I wasn’t really impressed.



View attachment 534803

I liked the DL version back when it first premiered and you could just stand around the Rivers of America and watch it rather than the HS version where you had to get in there super early (again when it first premiered in 98) to get a good spot and then were stuck in there for a while once it ended waiting to leave. But that’s just how we tour and what we were more comfortable with. We’ve never been fans of theater nighttime shows (or many daytime shows either). We usually like to watch fireworks on our way out of the park to get a jump on the transportation crash that occurs when they end. So we usually see HEA from MS by the Emporium and Illuminations from the bridge between UK and France to then head out the IG.

 

[andyman8]

Yeah it was a bit strange when they switched it.

Yes, they originally had it playing after HEA as way to avoid a mass exodus down Main Street after HEA (i.e. a reason to keep Guests in the park) but finally enough CMs and managers complained that it sounded stupid to have OUAT after HEA that they actually changed it. But they then changed it back lol. One of my favorite stories about MK management.

 

[mattpeto]

Just thinking about losing two night spectaculars, wonder if it’s HEA that is in danger.

50th celebration probably coming at MK. This could run 12-18 months. Plus the Halloween and Christmas parties have their unique shows.